Good New Movies to See

Since I've been too lazy to put a separate blog entry for each of these, I will just highly recommend the following current films: "Valkrie", "Gran Torino", and "Bolt".

Some have quibbled about the non-historical treatment of "Valkrie", but at heart it is just a good action film that just happens to be set in WWII Germany.

"Gran Torino" is a return to form for Clint Eastwood in his "Dirty Harry" persona. He is not the same character, but his crankiness is perfect. "Get off my lawn" will soon supplant "Go ahead, make my day" as the classic Clint catch phrase.

"Bolt" was a total surprise and begins the blurring of the lines of what is and what isn't a Pixar film. It isn't a Pixar film, yet John Lassiter of Pixar worked on it, and there was a short featuring Tow Mater from "Cars" at the front end. I think eventually the Pixar name will be retired. "Bolt" is a much better film than the previous non-Pixar Disney CGI films ("Chicken Little", "Meet the Robinsons"). Maybe not in the same league as "Wall-E", but close.

I highly recommend all three...

Gentleman Gene Colan

I went to the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco tonight with Lee Hester of Lee's Comics to honor "Gentleman" Gene Colan. For those unfamiliar with his work, pick up appropriate issues of "Daredevil", "Creepy", "Howard the Duck" or "Tomb of Dracula".

Gene was honored with a lifetime achievement award, and also answered some brief interview questions with Glen David Gold. He also received in person accolades from Tom Field, Steve Engelhart, Steve Leialoha, Adrienne Colan (Gene's wife) and in a special video message, Stan "The Man" Lee.

About 40 pieces of original art are on display from November 15, 2008 through March 15, 2009 at the Cartoon Art Museum which is at 655 Mission Street in San Francisco.

Gene also signed my "Howard the Duck" trade paperback and the new Dark Horse "Creepy Archives Vol. 2" book.

If you feel that you missed out meeting Gene in person, you do get a second chance. Gene Colan along with Gene's sometime inker Steve Leialoha ("Fables") will be appearing this Saturday, December 6, at Lee's Comics from 2-4pm, at 1020-F N. Rengstorff Avenue, Mountain View. Check out Lee's website at http://www.lcomics.com
for more information.

For photos of the event, please check out my Photobucket account at http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/cc49/thft_2007/Gene%20Colan%20December%202008/

Permission is granted to use any photo in this folder for any purpose, just please give me photo credit.